When they came around the curtain even Elliot, stoic Elliot who had seen more violence than I would ever know, couldn’t hide his shock when he saw my face.
Ada was unusually quiet as she handed over a bag with a change of clothes. Twenty minutes later, I was dressed and my teeth were brushed. I did my best to make myself presentablethough I didn’t dare look in a mirror yet. I didn’t need my reflection to tell me how awful I looked.
I kept my eyes glued to the floor as they led me out in a wheelchair. The setting sun greeted me as we stepped outside. While we waited for Elliot to bring the car around, I breathed in the fresh air. I felt like I’d aged a lifetime in the last twenty four hours.
The slam of a car door snapped me out of my thoughts. I opened my eyes to see my father storming across the road. His car was still running, he hadn’t bothered to park it.
“Didn’t think to call me yourself, you smug bastard?” His fierce gaze was fixed on Alfie. For the first time, I saw the man that had been sent to prison for almost beating someone to death. I saw the dangerous criminal he’d been.
“Why did I have to hear this from her sister? My daughter is in the hospital and you don’t think to tell me?”
“Why would I tell you when it’s your fault she’s here?” Alfie snapped. He stepped up to my father, chest to chest. I looked around, panicking as there was no Elliot here to diffuse the situation. “Who do you think did this to her?”
That stopped my father cold in his tracks.
“Your friends did this because you owe them money.”
John shook his head, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. “Lola, I didn’t?—”
“We’ll see you at Natalie’s wedding and I’ll pay off your debt for you, after that you stay the fuck away from her.”
“That’s not why I’m?—”
Elliot arrived then in another black Sedan. He jumped out of the car, stepping between Alfie and my father before it could escalate into violence. “You should leave. Now. The only reason you aren’t getting your head kicked in is because I don’t want the bruises to ruin your other daughter's wedding photos.”
John looked at me one last time. “I’m so sorry.”
“Go!” Alfie yelled, cutting off any further excuses. I couldn’t look at him, couldn’t talk, couldn’t fight. For once, I was happy to let Alfie handle my problems for me. My father walked away. I watched his car disappear, hot tears pouring down my cheeks.
“Take me home, please.”
Alfie took my hand as Ada wheeled me to the car. “We’ll be there in a few hours.”
“No,” I told him. “Not to London. Take me back to Harrington.”
It was the only place that felt like home right now.
Thirty-Seven
Ada was there when I woke up. She sat in a chair by the window, wrapped up in a light cardigan, her crochet hook moving at lightning speed. She smiled when she saw me and lifted up her work.
“Blankets for the local nursing home. I know you can buy them but I’ve always thought this was a more personal thing to do.”
“I didn’t know you crocheted. My gran used to do that. I still have her afghans.”
I tried to move and winced. Somehow, I was in more pain than yesterday. She hurried over and helped me sit up.
When we arrived at Harrington last night, I’d refused all offers of food or a bath. I couldn’t cry and I couldn’t be comforted either. All I could do was sleep.
Ada walked me to the bathroom and gave me some privacy while I relieved myself. I dared to look in the mirror and immediately wished I hadn’t. One side of my face was badly bruised and swollen. My hair was a dirty mess. I brushed and braided it, not sure what else to do with it. With the laceration on my scalp, I wasn’t ready to deal with washing it.
I was still bleeding and managed to change my pad out for a fresh one without any help. I cleaned myself quickly, not able to stand the sight of the blood.
These things happen.
I hobbled back out into my bedroom where Ada was waiting to help me into bed.
“Is there any news about Maia yet?”
